| If you're fresh out of college and preparing to | | | | should give you an idea of what your annual |
| enter the job market, I've bet you've got a | | | | salary should be. |
| brand-new power suit, a meticulously-edited | | | | So what if your salary offers and your annual |
| resume, and the perfect elevator pitch. But how | | | | budget don't match up? Then it's time to do |
| prepared are you to negotiate your salary? | | | | some prioritizing. Cut down your entertainment |
| If you've never been through the offer and | | | | budget, sell your car and start using public |
| negotiation process before, it can be a little tricky. | | | | transportation, or find a roommate for the early |
| It takes most people are few times to get the | | | | years of your career. As you get more |
| hang of it, but fear not. Here's a little cheat sheet | | | | experience and establish a salary history, you'll be |
| for you so you'll have the information, skills and | | | | able to increase your compensation and adjust |
| confidence to ask for what you deserve the first | | | | your budget accordingly. |
| time around. | | | | Consider All Your Options |
| Do Your Research | | | | One of the key elements of salary negotiating is |
| One of the most important parts of negotiating | | | | factoring all the options into the equation. It's easy |
| your salary is knowing your industry. But if you're | | | | to forget about the many benefits employers |
| entering the professional world for the very first | | | | have to offer, and only focus on the cold, hard |
| time, you may not have a good reference point | | | | cash. |
| for what brand-new elementary teachers or | | | | So consider exactly what is on the table--are |
| fledgling web designers are supposed to make. | | | | they offering you health insurance (and what kind |
| First off, you need to find out what the average | | | | of insurance; is dental or optical included)? |
| salary is for professionals in your industry. These | | | | Vacation time? Sick time? Flex time? Relaxed |
| statistics tend to provide the whole salary range, | | | | dress code? These benefits don't always have a |
| from entry level to the top positions in the field, | | | | set dollar sign affixed to them, but can be worth |
| so you can see where everyone falls. | | | | a lot throughout the year. You have to figure |
| From there, you need to figure out where you fit | | | | these items in to the annual compensation when |
| into the picture. Are you just graduating college | | | | you're contemplating an offer. |
| and have little to no work experience? Did you | | | | The benefits listed above can also be used as a |
| work in your chosen field while you were in | | | | bargaining tool or decision maker. If you can't |
| school, allowing you to build your resume? Do you | | | | quite get the salary you want, for example, see if |
| have an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's | | | | you can get some extra vacation time instead. If |
| degree? All of these factors-level of work | | | | you've got two companies presenting you with |
| experience and level of education-can affect the | | | | two enticing financial offers, see which benefit |
| final offer. Use the salary range, or the salary | | | | vacation package works better for you. If one |
| calculators on sites like payscale, to determine | | | | job is offering you more money, take their dress |
| what your offer should be. | | | | code into account: having a full business wardrobe |
| Build Your Budget | | | | adds up quickly, so it might not be that much |
| In addition to knowing the average salary for | | | | extra after all. |
| your profession, you also need to know how | | | | By taking all parts of a job offer into account, |
| much you personally need to live on for one year. | | | | you'll be able to decide which company's |
| That $23,000 salary offer may sound great-until | | | | compensation, vacation and insurance policy |
| you realize that with your student loans, credit | | | | works best for your lifestyle. |
| card debt, and living expenses, you need to make | | | | Just Do It |
| a minimum of $28,000 (and that's if you eat | | | | Yes, negotiating your salary can be tricky and |
| Ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner). | | | | intimidating, but don't let that keep you from |
| Start off by figuring your monthly budget for | | | | learning how to do it. It will be an important skill |
| rent, utilities, loans, groceries, car payments, | | | | you'll need throughout your career, and most |
| renter's insurance, and entertainment. Then | | | | companies expect it during the offer process. By |
| multiply that by 12. Then add between $3,000 - | | | | showing that you know your field and by asking |
| $5,000 for emergencies, travel, doctor's visits, | | | | the right questions, you're telling future employers |
| dental cleanings, birthday gifts, or anything else | | | | that you've done the necessary preparation and |
| you'll need to spend money on during the year. | | | | research, and that makes you that much more |
| Then add how much you want to contribute to | | | | desirable as a candidate and as a future |
| your personal savings account each year. That | | | | employee. |